The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-11-05

cruits, leaving us completely alone: For
several minutes we stood silently in the
hallway of the Tenth division OF bar
racks. Before Us was an open door.
A placard displayed the word ''Ofice."
Inside 1--WE knew from the sight we
caught of white trousers and cleaning
bell-buttons) were the committee of
reception" They were silent; we were
silent Why didn't they ask us
in? With true Western chivalry ]
volunteered to be spokesman Of our lit
tie band. In bolted. but before my
lips were to render their important
charge a change came over the spirit
of my dreams. Fifteen STRIPPING SOL
diers jumped out of their seats and
with one accord shouted, presumably to
me, ! scarcely knew to whom: Get
out Of here. mister!' and as a smile Of
incredulity played upon my features.
land wipe that smile off your face,
too!''
As my retreating figure cleared the
doorway one savage throat howled
again: II want to see you read the
rules before coming in here again,
SIR" / and my abashed partners
glanced wonderingly around. hoping
that we had by mistake gotten in the
wrong place, when we noticed on the
Intel of tho door a sheet of white pa
per. Some of the rules for the regula-
ton of new cadets read thus: Before
coming in the Office be careful to but
ton each button of the coat; carry the
palms of the hands straight to the
front; deport yourself in q military
manner; end every official communities
ton with Sir always prefix the title.
Mr. to your own and others names,
and never speak until spoken to-"
Again silence prevailed. Who should
make the next attemptP Who Of us
should inform them that we were sent
over not to be disturbed, but to be as
signed to quarters? Not L After q
painful suspense q long lank fellow
from the South essayed it. In he
walked with . "We've como to"
but no. the band inside, each and every
one sprang from their seats As though
urged by bent pins. "Wcll, Mr.. Du-
ticket, did you read the orders not to
speak until spoken TOP Take your
shiny eyes offof me and quit that gazing
around, I" said one tall cadet Of ramrod
proportions. A tittering outside brought
three of the occupants Of the room to
the scene of merriment. Evidently the
gentlemen on the exterior were enjoy
ing their partners discontinue, for II
is human nature for people In misery to
laugh at any thing very ridiculous.
The perpendicular cadet asked: ''What
do you beasts mean by laughing out
herep Suppose you get your fins
around" meaning. Of course. their
hands. well. mister" approaching
an evidently tickled green country fel-
low, You'll find this very serious
affair before you get through; stand up,
sir; this is no laughing matterr' These
words rang harshly through the hall
way of the Tenth division. but there was
none to aid. Retreat was impracti-
cable; to leave in disgust was to re-
nounce all hopes of military fame.
There was but one other refuge-to
fight for liberty. This was subsequently
tried by several of the ''beasts." but
with poor results, a. their dishgured
faces attested. West Point gymnasium
training was too thorough to permit Of
. ..beast" whipping '.yearling" 4. e,
one who has been at West Point q
yeaE) Even though ono of class falls
a victim to the hard blows Of q sinewy
plebe, West Point etiquette prescribes
another and yet another Of the defeated
classmates to fight the victor. and as il
il impossible for one to whip . whole
class the pill, however bitter, must be
swallowed.
The lank Southern youth was still in
the Office. surrounded by host OF ad.
mirers. Whats your name, misterP'
queried one. Confidence returning al
this good-natured question. he of thu
South replied. Brown" Confidence
was shattered. though, when the infor
nation was hurled back, mo. sir, Mr.
Brown-do you understand Well
now. Mr.. Brown, what's your name p
"Mr. Brown"
Brown was wrong again. "Mr
Brown, didn't you understand that yor
must end all official communication
with 'sirr You are the most b. J.
plebe ever saw!"
There was once ct the academy Z
very saucy plebe named B. J. B.. and
after his departure the term "B. j.
has ever been applied to the cheeky
fourth classman.
| After Mr.. Brown had been thu
harshly dealt with for minutes tina
seemed to him hours, and the rest Of u
y =